Apparatus for slitting rolls of material



L. A. KRAUTHEIM APPARATUS FOR SLITTING ROLLS OF MATERIAL Filed July 21.1964 April 4, 1967 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. Lama/c A. fiauth fl BYAri/Mr" ,4 Marc/l April 1967 L. A. KRAUTHEIM 3,312,130

APPARATUS FOR SLITTING ROLLS OF MATERIAL Filed July 21, 1964 2Sheets-Sheet 2 I NVEN TOR.

Leonard/l m'auz /zeim BY Ar/hur A, Marc/7' ATTOENE Y' United StatesPatent Office 3,312,130 Patented Apr. 4, 1967 3,312,130 APPARATUS FORSLITTING ROLLS F MATERIAL Leonard A. Krautlieim, Haledon, N.J., assignorto Lever Manufacturing Corporation, Paterson, N.J., a corporation of NewYork Filed July 21, 1964, Ser. No. 384,067 8 Claims. (Cl. 82-70.1)

This invention relates in general to an apparatus for slittingrelatively wide webs or rolls of sheet material, and more particularlyto an improvement in an apparatus for slitting a long roll of sheetmaterial into relatively narrow spools.

Narrow spools of ribbon material have been heretofore obtained byplacing a long roll of sheet material on a slitting machine in whichboth the roll of sheet material and a circular knife or cutter operatingthereon were operatively driven or rotated. The arrangement was suchthat the rotating knife or cutter was piv-otally mounted for movementbetween a cutting and non-cutting position with respect to the rotatingroll of sheet material. In the cutting position, the rotating knifecontacted and entered the rotating roll of sheet material so as to slicea narrow spool of predetermined width therefrom. Provision was made formeans to shift the rotating knife or cutter axially after each cuttingoperation to thereby cut successive spools of material from the roll. Inthe non-cutting position, the rotating knife blade was retracted fromthe roll. When retracted, the rotating knife or cutter sometimes engagedsharpening means which were provided at the rear of the apparatus. Withthis arrangement the knife was maintained at optimum sharpness for eachcutting operation. Accordingly, the knife blade was maintained inrotation in both the cutting and non-cutting position thereof.

Experience has shown, however, that in slitting rolls of material, thefriction resuting between the rotating knife blade and the rotating rollof sheet material adversely affected the slitting operation. As a resultthereof, a uniform cut or slit of the spool from the roll was notobtain-able. In operating on such materials it was discovered that theoptimum cutting or slitting operation of the spool from the roll couldbe attained by maintaining the cutting blade stationary relative to therotating roll of sheet material during the cutting or severingoperation.

Therefore, an object of this invention is to provide an improved rollslitting machine in which the knife blade is maintained stationaryrelative to a rotating roll of sheet material during a severing orslitting operation.

Another object is to provide an improved roll slitting machine that isrelatively simple in construction and which is reliable and effective inits operation.

Another object is to provide a relatively simple arrangement of a rollslitting machine in which the rotation of the knife can be readilycontrolled so as to effect optimum slitting of rolls of sheet materialinto a series of relatively narrow spools.

A feature of this invention resides in the provision of anelectro-magnetic brake assembly operatively associated with the cuttingknife for controlling the rotation thereof in both the cutting andnon-cutting positions thereof.

Another feature of this invention resides in the provision of automatictorque control means whereby a predetermined torque can be applied asthe cutting knife passes through the roll of sheet material.

Still another feature of this invention resides in the provision of abrake assembly for effecting a quick startstop action of the cuttingknife in its cycle of. operation between cutting and non-cuttingpositions thereof.

Yet another feature of this invention resides in the provision of abrake assembly which can retard the speed of rotation of the knife andpermit it to rotate at any predetermined speed of various types ofcutting operations in addition to completely preventing rotation.

Other features and advantages will become more readily apparent whenconsidered in view of the drawings and description in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates a general perspective view of the improved rollslitting apparatus of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a detail side view of the cutter of the apparatus illustratingthe movement thereof between operative and inoperative positionsthereof.

FIG. 3 in a detail front view of the cutter and associated brakeassembly of this invention having portions thereof shown in section.

FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic showing of a circuit for eifectuating theactuation of the brake.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a roll slitting apparatus 10which, in accordance with this invention, embodies an improvement foreffectively and efiiciently slitting narrow spools from relatively widerolls of sheet materials. Essentially, the roll slitting apparatus ormachine 10, except for the improvement to be described herein, is of thetype shown and disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,083,601.

The roll slitting machine 10 comprises generally a frame 11 including apair of spaced-apart end housings 12 and 13 interconnected by a pair ofhorizontally disposed spaced rail members 14 and 15. The housing 12forming the right end support of the machine as viewed in FIG. 1encloses a suitable drive means for effecting rotation of a rollsupporting shaft or spindle 16 adapted to extend longitudinally of theframe 11. As shown, one end of the shaft 16 is supported in the headstock 17 that includes a suitable chuck means 18 which issuitably-connected in driving relationship to the drive means encased inthe end housing 12. The other end of the shaft 16 is rotatably supportedin a bearing bracket 19 mounted on the end of a stanchion 20 which iscarired on an adjustable tail stock 21. The bearing bracket 19 employs aquick release holding mechanism 22 by which the associated end of theshaft 16 is rendered] readily detachably connected thereto.

Carried on the rails 14 and 15 of the frame 11 for transverse movementtherealong is a compound carriage 23 having a lower portion 24 directlysupported on the rail means 14, 15, and an upper portion 25 pivotallycarried thereon for movement between a forwardly cutting position andrearwardly non-cutting or sharpening position. Means in the form of arack and cooperating gear, not shown, is provided for effecting movementof the carriage 23 transversely along the frame 11.

A circular knife blade 26 is carried on a shaft 27 rotatably journalledin a suitable bearing carried on the free end of the upper pivotableportion 25 of the carrier. The upper carriage portion 25 is pivotablymounted to the lower carriage portion 24 about a pivot shaft or pin 28and about which it is oscillated between an operative and inoperativeposition. A handle 29 may be adjustably mounted to the upper carriageportion 25 so as to accommodate manual operation, if desired. Thespacing between cuts may be predetermined and set in order that spoolsof specific width may be automatically cut from the roll.

The upper carriage portion 25 and the cutting blade 26 carried thereonis free to move between a forwardly disposed cutting position whereinthe knife blade 26 is brought into contact with the roll of sheetmaterial 30 (see dot-dash line of FIG. 2) and a rearwardly retractednon-cutting position. As disclosed, the rotating knife 26 is driven by asuitable flexible drive connection 31 which extends between pulley 32secured to the cutter shaft 27 and a pulley 33 rotatably journalledabout shaft 28. A

second pulley 34 on shaft 28 is rigidly connected with pulley 33 toaccommodate a second flexible drive 35 driven from a pulley 36 connectedto a spindle 37 of the drive motor 38 which is carried on the compoundcarriage 23. Thus, the knife 26 may be readily power driven, and atthesame time be advanced and retracted between cutting and non-cuttingpositions by means of the upper pivoting carriage portion 25 and thehandle 29.

Operatively associated wlith the cutting blades 26, when retracted toits non-cutting position, is a grinding wheel 39 which is rotatablydriven by a suitable grinder motor 40. The grinder motor 40 is carriedon a bracket 41 mounted on a lower portion of the carriage. Connected tothe grinder motor bracket 41 is a second bracket 42. Accordingly, thesecond bracket 42 mounts an emery element 43 which is adapted to engagethe other side of the cutting blade when the latter is retracted to itsnon-operating position. The arrangement is such that the grinding wheel39 and emery element 43 will engage the cutting blade 26 at the sametime during a sharpening operation. Such engagement will only occur whenthe blade 26 is retracted to its non-cutting position. Accordingly, thegrinder 39 is arranged to run continuously.

To accommodate for wear of the knife 26 as it becomes smaller indiameter, the motor 40 and the grinder wheel 39, as well as the emeryelement 43 can be adjusted or shifted in a direction towards the axis ofthe knife 26. Thus, as the upper carriage portion 25 and the knife 26are brought back after each succeeding cut, the knife 26 will engage thegrinding wheel 39 and emery or stone 43 to effect sharpening of bothsides of the knife by proper periodic adjustment of the sharpeningelements set forth.

Heretofore, the cutting or slitting of narrow spools from rolls of sheetmaterial 30 was effected by simultaneously rotating both the roll ofsheet material and the cutter blade. However, for certain types ofmaterial, it was noted that the cutting operation so effected was notsatisfactory. For slitting rolls of material into relatively narrowspools, it has been discovered that optimum results are obtained if theknife is maintained fixed or free of rotation during the cuttingoperation. Therefore, in accordance with this invention, means areprovided whereby the knife blade 26 is maintained fixed during theactual cutting operation and rotated only when moved to its retracted ornon-cutting relationship to effect the sharpening thereof betweensuccessive cutting operations. This is attained by utilizing a brakingassembly 45 in conjunction with the operation of the cutter drivingmotor 38 for ceasing the rotation of the cutter 26 as it engages theroll of material 30.

As best seen in FIG. 3, the brake assembly 45 comprises anelectro-magnetic, disk type brake composed of a magnet 46 and anarmature 47. Accordingly, the braking torque is transmitted by thefriction induced through the electro-magnetic engagement of the armature47 to the magnet 46. The brake magnet 46 is mounted or fixed to theupper carriage portion 25, and the cooperating armature 47 is mounted tothe cutter shaft 27. The arrangement is such that the armature 47 of theassembly is mounted on the shaft 27 and thus will rotate at the speed ofthe shaft 27. The magnet 46 fixed to the upper carriage portion remainsstationary. Thus, when the magnet 46 is energized, it creates a magneticfield of sufficient intensity to draw the armature 47 fixed to the shaft27 to the magnet. The arrangement is such that when the brake magnet 46is energized, it will draw the armature 47 thus causing rotation of theshaft 27 and cutter 26 connected thereto to cease or retard the freewheeling action of the cutter. Accordingly, the electromagnetic brakeassembly 45 may be connected into a contr'ol circuit as shown in FIG. 4to render the operation' thereof either automatic or manual.

The operation of the machine is as follows: The material 30 to besevered into spools is positioned on the shaft 16 with one end of thematerial supported by the chuck 18. The chuck is connected to drivemeans enclosed in end housing 12. Whenever the machine 10 is actuated,the drive means of the shaft 16 will effect rotation of the roll 30supported thereon. The cutting blade 26 is then advanced toward the roll30 to effect a cutting operation. As the cutter approaches the roll ofsheet material, a suitable switch means is actuated which deenergizesthe circuit to the motor 38 and which causes the circuit of the magneticbrake 45 to be energized thereby retarding or ceasing the rotation ofthe cutting blade 26 relative to the rotating roll 30. Consequently, asthe cutting blade 26 is moved onto the rotating roll of sheet material,the cutting operation is effected simply by the rotation of the rollrelative to the cutting tool which has been retarded or ceased rotating.As the severing of the spool from the roll 30 has been completed, thecutting tool 26 is retracted to its non-cutting position. In retractingand as the cutting tool 26 approaches the sharpening means 39, 43, aswitch means is actuated whereby the magnetic brake 45 is de-energizedand the motor drive 38 is actuated whereupon the cutter is set inrotation through its drive connections 31 to 35. Thus, with the cutterrotating in its retracted position, it will engage the rotating grindingstone 39 and associated emery 43 whereupon the cutting edge of the bladeis sharpened. The carriage 25 is then laterally moved or indexed for thenext cut and the blade is again advanced to perform the next succeedingcutting operation to sever a second spool. As this occurs, the motor 38is de-energized and the magnetic brake 45 again energizes to retard orcease the rotation of the blade 26 and thus readies the cutting tool 26for the next successive cuttingoperation. The sequence is repeated untilthe roll has been severed into its respective spools.

FIG. 4 is a simplified schematic diagram of the electrical circuitrequired to operate the basic parts of the drag brake 46 and the knifesharpening apparatus. As is cu tomary in such circuits, two wires 51 and52 are provided for connection to power supply lines. The first elementin the circuit is a switch 53 which is normally open, but is held closedby the knife support 23 when the knife blade 26 is in the back positionaway from the row of material 30. This switch is in series with a coilof a relay 54 which therefore is energized only When the knife is in itsback position and is referred to as the knife 'back relay. The relay 54has an armature 54a, a contact 54b against which the armature 54a isnormally closed, and a normally open contact 54c. The latter isconnected in series with a switch 55 referred to as the auto grindswitch which, in turn, is connected in series with the coil of a relay56 comprising, in addition, an armature 56a and a normally open contact56b. Both of the armatures 54a and 56a are connected to the line 52,.and the contact 56b is connected to both the knife motor 38 and thegrinding motor 40, so that when he switch 53 is closed, the relay 54 isenergized which draws the arma-- ture 54a against the contact 54c,connecting the switch 55 to the line 52. If the switch 55 is thenclosed, the: relay 56 will be energized drawing the armature 56a againstthe contact 56b and providing current to both. the knife motor 38 andthe grinder motor 40.

When the knife 26 is moved forward, the switch 53' will automaticallyreturn to its open position, de-energize the relay 54 and permitting thearmature 54a to return to the contact 54b, thus disconnecting the switch55 and automatically de-energizing the relay 56, even if the switch 55remains closed. As a result, the armature 56a moves away from thecontact 56b and opens the circuit supplying current to the motors 38 and40.

The drag brake circuit is also operated by the switch 53. This circuitis energized by a transformer 61, the primary of which is connectedbetween the line 51 and the contact 54b which is engaged by the armature5411..

when the switch 53 is opened as the knife 26 moves to its forwardposition. The secondary of the transformer 61 is connected in serieswith one pole 62a of a doublepole toggle switch 62. The pole 62a and thesecondary of the transformer 61 are so connected as to supply current totwo lines 63 and 64 when the switch 62 is thrown in the direction toclose the pole 62a. Closing the pole 62a energizes a pilot light 65 anda rectifier circuit 66. The latter changes the alternating current intopulsating direct current and supplies it to two lines 67 and 68.

The other pole 62b of the switch 62 is connected in series with a knifecontrol switch 69 that has three positions: 69a, 69b and 690. When thecontactor of the switch is in position 69a, as it is in FIG. 4, theswitch is said to be in its automatic position. The position 6%corresponds to the off position of the switch, and the position 69!:corresponds to the on position. With the switch 69 in either position69a or 690, the pole 62b of the switch 62 is connected to the line 52.If, in this condition, the arm 62b is placed in the position indicatedin the drawing, a coil of a relay 70 will be energized. This relay hasan armature 70a and a normally open contact 70b which is connected tothe knife and drive motors 38 and 40. The armature 70b is connected tothe line 52 so that when the relay coil 70 is energized, the knife motor38 and the drive motor 40 will also be energized. Thus, the motors 38and 40 can be energized by way of the relay 56 or the relay 70.

The drag brake 46 is operated from the rectified current carried by thelines 67 and 68. The current in the brake is controlled either by amanual control 71 or by an automatic control 72. Election as to which ofthese controls will govern the operation of the brake is determined by adouble-pole, double-throw switch 73, one pole 73a of which can beconnected either to a contact 73b, which will send current through themanual control 71 or to a contact 730 which will direct current throughthe automatic control 72. The other pole 73d of the switch will becorrespondingly connected to a contact 73c, which is connected to thearm of the manual control '71, or to a contact 737 which is connected tothe arm of the automatic control 72. In either case, the setting of thearms of the control 71 or 72 will determine the current through thebrake 46 and hence the torque developed by the brake. The setting of thearm of the automatic control 72 can be governed by a mechanical linkageoperated through the motion of the knife support 25. In addition, themanual control 71 can be set at a desired braking torque at the start ofa cut and can be increased automatically to any higher or lower torqueas the knife enters the row of material to be cut.

Examination of the switch 62 shows that when it is in the positionindicated in the drawing, the drag brake circuit cannot 'be energizedbecause the secondary of the transformer 61 is connected to an opencircuit. On the other hand, when the switch 62 is thrown in the oppositedirection, the motors 38 and 40 cannot be.

energized by way of the relay 76 because the pole 62b of the switch 62will be in its open circuit position. The d-rag brake 46 will, however,be activated. As has been indicated, the armature 54a of the relay 54cannot connect with both the contacts 54b and 540 at the same-time; whenthe armature 54a connects with the contact 54b, the drag brake circuitcan 'be energized but the motors 38 and 40 cannot; whereas when thearm-ature 54a connects with the contact 540, the motors 38 and 40 can,if the switch is closed, be energized but the drag brake circuit cannotbe energized because no current will be applied to the primary of thetransformer 61. Thus, it is established that the drag brake 46 cannot beoperated at the same time that the motors 3S and 40 are energized.

While the instant invention has been described with reference to aparticular embodiment thereof, it will be readily appreciated andunderstood that variations and 6 modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the spirit or scope of the instant invention.

I claim:

1. In a machine for slitting relatively wide rolls of sheet materialinto relatively narrow spools having a frame, means for rotatablysupporting a roll of sheet material on said frame, a carriage movablymounted on said frame, a cutting tool carried on said carriage formovement toward and away from said roll of sheet material, means forefiecting rotation of said cutting tool, the improvement of meanscooperatively associated with said cutting tool for preventing rotationthereof during the cutting operation.

2. The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein said latter meanscomprises an electro-magnetic brake.

3. In a machine for slitting relatively wide rolls of sheet materialinto relatively narrow spools having a frame, means for rotatavblysupporting a roll of sheet material on said frame, a carriage movablymounted on said frame, a cutting tool carried on said carriage formovement toward and away from said roll of sheet material, means foreffecting rotation of said cutting tool, and tool sharpening meansope-ratively associated with said cutting tool, the improvement of meanscooperatively associated with said cutting tool for preventing rotationthereof during the cutting operation.

4. In a machine for slitting rolls of sheet material into relativelynarrow spools having a frame, means for supporting a roll of sheetmaterial on said frame, means for imparting rotation to said roll ofsheet mate rial, a carriage movably mounted on said frame, a cuttingtool carried on said carriage for movement to ward and away from saidroll of sheet mate-rial, means for effecting rotation of said cuttingtool, the improvement of means cooperatively associated with saidcutting tool as said tool is moved away from said rotating rolloperation thereof as said tool is moved into engagement with saidrotating roll of sheet material.

5. In a machine for slitting rolls of sheet material into relativelynarrow spools having 'a frame, means for supporting a roll of sheetmaterial on said frame, means for imparting rotation to said roll ofsheet material, a carriage movably mountedon said frame, a cutting toolcarried on said carriage for movement toward and away fromsaid roll ofsheet material, means for effecting rotation of said cutting tool, and atool sharpening means operatively associated with said cutting tool, theimprovement of means cooperatively associated with said cutting tool forretarding rotation thereof during the cutting operation thereof as saidtool is moved into engagement with said rotating roll of sheet material,and means for increasing the speed of rotation of said cutting tool assaid tool is moved away from said rotating roll of sheet material toengage said sharpening means.

6. An improved roll slitting machine comprising (a) a frame,

(b) means for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material on saidframe,

(c) a carriage movably mounted on said frame,

(d) a cutting tool carried on said carriage, said (tool being mountedthereon for movement between cutting and non-cutting positions,

(e) a sharpening means mounted on said carriage adjacent said cuttingtool whereby said tool is adapted to engage said sharpening means in thenon-cutting position thereof,

(f) means for imparting rotation to said tool in the non-cuttingposition for effecting a sharpening operation,

(g) and means for retarding the rotation of said cutting tool in thecutting position thereof.

7. A machine for slitting a relatively wide roll of sheet material intorelatively narrow spools comprising (a) a frame means,

( b) a carriage supported on said frame means for movementlongitudinally therealong,

() means for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material on said framemeans,

(d) said means including a spindle,

(e) a head stock including a chuck means for rotatably supporting oneend of said spindle,

(f) a tail stock means for rotatably supporting the other end of saidspindle,

(g) means for driving said head chuck means for imparting rotation tothe roll of material adapted to be supported between said head and tailstocks,

(h) a cutting means,

(i) said cutting means being mounted on said carriage for movementbetween operative and inoperative positions,

(j) said cutting means including rotatably journalled shaft,

(k) a circular cutter fixed to one end of said shaft,

(1) means for effecting rotation of said cutter shaft and cutterconnected thereto,

(m) a sharpening means disposed adjacent to said cutter when in theinoperative non-cutting position thereof,

(11) means for effecting rotation of said sharpening means to effect thesharpening of said cutter in the inoperative position thereof,

(0) and means for stopping the rotation of said cutter in the operativecutting position thereof,

(p) said latter means including an electro-magnetic braking device,

(q) and said 'braking device including a fixed magnet, and a cooperatingarmature, said armature being journa'lled to said cutter shaft wherebythe braking torque is effected by the attraction of said armature bysaid brake magnet when the latter is energized.

8. A machine for slitting a relatively wide roll of sheet material intorelatively narrow spools comprising (a) a frame including a pair of endsupports, and a pair of opposed rail members interconnected between saidsupports, (b) a carriage supported on said rails for movementlongitudinally therealong,

(c) means for rotatably supporting a roll of sheet material on saidframe,

(d) said means including a spindle,

(e) a head stock including a chuck means for rotatably supporting oneend of said spindle,

(f) a tail stock means for rotatably supporting the other end of saidspindle,

(g) said tail stock being adjustably positioned along the length of saidrails,

(h) means for driving said chuck means to impart rotation to the roll ofmaterial adapted to be sup ported between said head stock and tailstock,

(i) a cutting means,

(3') said cutting means including an upper carriage portion pivotallymounted on said carriage for movement between operative and inoperativepositions,

(k) a cutter shaft rotatably journalled on said upper pivoting carriageportion,

(1) a circular cutter fixed to one end of said shaft,

(m) means for effecting rotation of said cutter shaft to rotate thecutter connected thereto during a noncutting operation,

(11) a sharpening means disposed adjacent to said cutter when in theinoperative non-cutting position thereof,

(0) means for effecting rotation of said sharpening means to effect thesharpening of said cutter in the non-cutting position thereof,

(p) and means for stopping the rotation of said cutter in the cuttingposition thereof,

(q) said latter means including an electno-magnetic braking device,

(r) said braking device including a fixed magnet and a cooperatingarmature journalled to said cutter shaft whereby the braking torque iseffected by the attraction of said armature by said brake magnet whenthe latter is energized.

No references cited.

WILLIAM W. DYER, IR., Primary Examiner.

HARRISON L. HINSON, Examiner.

1. IN A MACHINE FOR SLITTING RELATIVELY WIDE ROLLS OF SHEET MATERIALINTO RELATIVELY NARROW SPOOLS HAVING A FRAME, MEANS FOR ROTATABLYSUPPORTING A ROLL OF SHEET MATERIAL ON SAID FRAME, A CARRIAGE MOVABLYMOUNTED ON SAID FRAME, A CUTTING TOOL CARRIED ON SAID CARRIAGE FORMOVEMENT TOWARD AND AWAY FROM SAID ROLL OF SHEET MATERIAL, MEANS FOREFFECTING ROTATION OF SAID CUTTING TOOL,